Plastic and fan knives (balisong) and plastic knuckles are banned in Makati City.
This was announced by Mayor Abigail Binay after the city council passed an ordinance banning the items in addition to other toy-like replicas of deadly weapons prohibited by an earlier ordinance, and imposing penalties on violators.
Makati City Ordinance 2017-113 amended City Ordinance 97-131 enacted in August 1997, which prohibits the distribution, sale or display of toy guns with plastic pellets as bullets, and which look like real firearms. The ban excludes airsoft, airguns and other similar items being used in lawful activities.
Binay has pushed for the passage of the ordinance following reports of minors using plastic knives and knuckles during petty brawls or in harassing others. Concerned residents have also reported that some sari-sari (variety) stores near schools are selling the items to young schoolchildren.
“It is alarming that unscrupulous store owners are giving children access to these potentially harmful, even lethal, toy items. Urgent measures must be taken to stop the endangerment of the young and vulnerable and prevent lawless elements from using these ‘toys’ to victimize Makatizens,” Binay said
The mayor assured residents that the city government would exert all efforts to eliminate such threats to the safety and security of Makati residents. She noted that access to such toys could also promote a culture of violence among the youth.
She also urged parents and guardians against buying such items as gifts during the holidays, calling on them to be vigilant and promptly report the presence of any of the banned items in their communities to the authorities through hotline 168 or My Makati Facebook page.
Binay has directed the office of the Liga ng mga Barangay of Makati to lead an information drive and conduct a crackdown on stores or individuals who are violating the ordinance, particularly establishments and sari-sari stores near school premises.
Under the new ordinance, mere possession of the prohibited items, as defined in both the earlier ordinance and its amendment, is punishable with a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and a P3,000 fine or imprisonment not exceeding one month, or both at the discretion of the court for the third and succeeding offense.
Moreover, if a child or minor is found violating the prohibitions (possession, selling or distribution) under the local laws, he or she will be subject to the provisions of Republic Act 9344, or Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
The law sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility of minors to above 15 years but below 18 years at the time of the commission of the offense.
If the offender is above 15 but below 18, he or she will be subjected to an intervention program, unless he or she has acted with discernment, in which case, he or she shall be subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with the Act.
Through its annual search for Makati’s “Most Child-Friendly Barangays,” the city government has also been closely monitoring the compliance of all 33 barangays with laws promoting child protection and development, as well as their exemplary programs and practices for children’s welfare.